New German VPN Server

Today, we’re excited to announce a new VPN server location in Germany!

The new German VPN server location increases flexibility to travel the Internet openly and securely around the world regardless of your physical location. We believe in an open Internet and we have continued work to bring VyprVPN customers greater options.

The following VyprVPN server locations are now available:

  • Germany – NEW!
  • United States – East Coast
  • United States – West Coast
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Netherlands
  • Hong Kong

To access the new German server location, Golden Frog VyprVPN customers can simply update their hostname to:

de1.vpn.goldenfrog.com

The Beta version of the VyprVPN App has been released for Windows. Download now! Mac OSX and Linux versions are coming soon.

For more setup information, see our VyprVPN setup page, or contact Golden Frog Support.

If you’re not already a Golden Frog VyprVPN customer, you can sign up today!

New VyprVPN Servers in France

Today, we’re excited to announce VyprVPN server locations in France! The French VPN servers are ready for connections for every VPN protocol, including PPTP, L2TP/IPsec and OpenVPN.

We believe in an open Internet and will continue to deliver Golden Frog VyprVPN customers more server locations. Golden Frog VyprVPN customers can now access the Internet from anywhere in the world from our French VPN server.

The following VyprVPN server locations are now available:

  • France – NEW!
  • United States – East Coast
  • United States – West Coast
  • United Kingdom
  • Netherlands
  • Hong Kong

To access the new France server, Golden Frog VyprVPN customers can just update their hostname to:

fr1.vpn.goldenfrog.com

For more setup information, see our VyprVPN setup page, or contact Golden Frog Support.

If you’re not already a Golden Frog VyprVPN customer, you can sign up today!

Syrian Facebook Attack Illustrates Vulnerability of Internet Users

According to a report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, it is believed that the Syrian Telecom Ministry has launched a “man-in-the-middle” attack against the more secure HTTPS version of Facebook.

“Man-in-the-middle” attacks allow the attacker to enter into private conversations and interject their own messaging without the victims’ knowledge.  This particular attack is not sophisticated – raising security warnings in users’ browsers and unverified by the Certificate Authority. Unfortunately, most users are so used to getting pop-up warnings that they don’t even read them anymore. Instead, they just click the warnings away, giving their attacker explicit access to their Facebook account and private communications.

There are ways to protect yourself and your data – no matter where in the world you are.  EFF noted that some Syrian ISPs have already blocked an anonymizing proxy service, named Tor. But don’t fret, Golden Frog’s VyprVPN, a personal VPN service, can also protect you against Syria’s man-in-the-middle attack.  First, VyprVPN tunnels traffic to locations in the United States, Europe, or Asia – bypassing the Syrian servers being used in these attacks. Second, all data sent through the tunnel is encrypted, so even if government systems tries analyze your traffic, they cannot tell what sites are being visited.

As mentioned in the article published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, there are other services, identified as ‘Internet Proxy’ solutions that allow users to by-pass local restrictions.  Many of these provide a similar feature set to VyprVPN, however, the key difference is VyprVPN’s ability to provide personal, encrypted access to the Internet, through its managed servers at locations around the world – without affecting speed. This means users in Syria can circumvent these attacks by the Syrian Telecom Ministry and connect securely to the Internet.  Furthermore, VyprVPN’s encryption enables deeper levels of privacy and security that traditional web proxies do not offer – allowing users the ability to surf the Internet in confidence.

For more information about VyprVPN and its cost-effective solution to overriding local government Internet browsing restrictions, visit https://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn/vpn-service-provider.

Privacy Concerns Mount as More Smartphone “Location Apps” Emerge in Market

For the great lot of us who download the latest apps on our Smartphones – how many of us actually consider the privacy risk at stake? An escalating number of mobile software applications depend on a user’s location as an integral component to what they do.

According to a recent New York Times blog, leading market research firm Nielsen reports that many Americans, particularly women, have strong concerns about privacy loss due to the usage of location-based mobile services. The Nielson report appeared just one day after another report revealing that the Apple iPhone and iPad 3G are actively storing data about users’ locations. The report states that 59 percent of women have privacy concerns with these services, as compared to 52% of men; and privacy concerns were notably higher among those over the age of 45.

Are you concerned about YOUR privacy when downloading various applications? First, pay close attention to the Smartphone location services that you utilize/download. Second, learn more about how you can protect your privacy with Golden Frog’s VyprVPN.

VyprVPN can prevent ‘geo-targeting’ according to users’ specific mobile IP address. The innovative service provides an extra layer of protection to encrypt your data and ensure a safe, private browsing experience without slowing your connection. VyprVPN is compatible with iPhone, iPads and Android devices. To learn more about VyprVPN, please visit https://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn/vpn-service-provider.

Deep Packet Inspection – Do you have a choice?

Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is a networking technology that inspects the content of data packets as they travel over the Internet. It filters or throttles your Internet connection based upon the data content.

The first DPI devices were used to troubleshoot network problems and blocking viruses and Denial of Service attacks. Today, DPI is capable of far more — allowing ISPs and governments to monitor and monetize the Internet in ways which threaten Net Neutrality and the unrestricted dissemination of ideas over the Internet. Deep Packet Inspection is similar to a wiretap on your telephone, but occurs over the Internet.

DPI subjects all online users to inspection – monitoring and storing all online activities at your ISP’s/government’s discretion. Interesting to note are the recent estimates about DPI. According to a recent article, ABI Research estimates over $1.3 billion of DPI hardware will be sold in 2015, a huge increase from $207 million in 2008. In addition, Infonetics Research predicts that DPI will be a $1.5 billion business by as early as 2013. According to ABI, future increased use of DPI devices will be directed toward mobile networks.

You have a choice to make your Internet experience a more private and secure one from any location or device. Services such as Golden Frog’s VyprVPN encrypt your data, providing increased security and privacy on the net. To learn more about VyprVPN and how it can help create a more secure and private internet experience for you, please contact Golden Frog Corporate Sales today.

Privacy at Risk: Swedish ISP Responds to Europe’s Data Retention Directive

How far is too far? A current news article brought to light that the European Union’s Data Retention Directive requires Internet, mobile and fixed phone providers to keep customer data for a minimum of six months, and up to two years. The Swedish government recently proposed legislation to implement the proposed law. If passed, it would force providers to monitor, track and record subscriber and traffic information for every customer’s connection, including the time and IP address of every text message, telephone call, website visit and email sent and received.

In response, Bahnhof, a Swedish ISP and host of Wikileaks, announced they intend to circumvent the directive by implementing a VPN service to protect the privacy and freedom of their customers.  By encrypting traffic, Bahnhof will not be able to track and log their customer’s online activities. They believe customer information should only be monitored and logged with “reason of suspicion” and court order.

We share the same values: privacy, security and freedom online. While ISPs like Bahnhof create solutions to protect their customers’ privacy, most ISPs monitor, record and share your personal information as outlined in their Terms of Service. Don’t rely on your ISP to care about your privacy. Replace your ISP’s Terms of Service with ours.

To learn more about VyprVPN, please contact Golden Frog Corporate Sales today.

Facebook Responds to Privacy Violations of Tunisian Citizens

The country of Tunisia is in a state of unrest and dissent as millions tune in to follow the anti-government protests. In a recent news story , social media giant Facebook noticed suspicious activity as reports came in regarding the hacking of several political-protest pages. Tunisians attributed the cyber attacks to the censoring of their country’s Internet and attempts to steal social media passwords. Taking a purely technical (non-political) approach to the situation, Facebook coded a two-step response to the problem, which allowed for all Tunisian requests for Facebook to be routed to an https server and implemented a procedure that would require users logging in to identify friends’ photos by name.

So, what can you do as consumers and business travelers to protect and secure your online activity? Use Golden Frog’s VyprVPN , a service designed to protect users’ connections from hackers and authorities who threaten individuals’ rights to freedom of expression.  Users of VyprVPN are permitted to use the Internet, including sites like Facebook, in a whole new way – privately, securely, and from anywhere in the world.

Learn more information about securing your Internet experience, contact Golden Frog Corporate Sales today.

Even “Techies” Can be Hacked

Free Public Wi-Fi Issues Exposed at Global Conference

Concerns about the safety and security of public Wi-Fi came into light at the recent Digital Life Design Conference, an annual global science and technology event. Attendees of the event were granted access to the free Wi-Fi network, and a participant demonstrated how easy it was to “hack” into the social network accounts of those using the Wi-Fi. By utilizing the controversial “FireSheep,” a Firefox extension that demonstrates HTTP (non-encrypted) session hijacking attacks, this person was able to gain access to information on the computers, laptops and PDAs that were connected to the Wi-Fi network. As a result of this exercise, the vulnerabilities of Wi-Fi communications were shown – users’ devices often aren’t secured or protected when on public access networks.

How can you avoid such issues with public Wi-Fi? Consider utilizing a secure VPN service to connect to the Internet, such as Golden Frogs VyprVPN. VyprVPN protects users’ connections from hackers and data sniffers – making extensions like FireSheep inoperable.

To learn more about VyprVPN, please contact Golden Frog Corporate Sales today.

A Free Internet? Twitter Blocked in Tunisia and Egypt

The latest news from Tunisia and Egypt is reminiscent of the government crackdowns on social networking sites from Iran during 2009.  According to an article published this week, Egypt appears to have blocked access to Twitter in response to citizens using social networking sites to organize protests against the government.  The Internet, for many in this world, is not free.

A personal VPN service, such as Golden Frog’s VyprVPN service, is a tool that can help people bypass such restrictions.  By encrypting communications between the VyprVPN network and the end-user, unwanted third-parties are prevented from determining which websites the end-user is visiting or communicating with.  Since 1994 Golden Frog has been dedicated to restoring individual’s rights to online privacy. Golden Frog allows its VyprVPN customers to use the Internet freely, securely, from anywhere in the world, including Egypt.

Learn more at www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn!

The Downside of Free Wi-Fi

Chances are you use a free Wi-Fi connection from time to time.  Whether on business travel, sitting in the doctor’s office, or just hanging out at a coffee shop, it is a major convenience to have free access to the Internet when you are away from your office or home computer.  While convenient, what many do not realize is that Wi-Fi connections are not secure and could put your personal data and information at serious risk.
In a recent Internet security article, the dangers and risks of surfing the Web unprotected are outlined.

So, what can you to do to secure and protect your online experience?

For starters, consider Golden Frog’s VyprVPN service for fast, easy online privacy.  Golden Frog is a company committed to restoring individuals’ rights to online privacy, allowing them to browse the Internet freely, securely – from anywhere in the world.

A VPN or virtual private network, encapsulates data transfers between two devices which are not on the same network – keeping the data transferred private. VyprVPN takes it a step further and ensures that the information a user transfers online is encrypted at the ‘last mile’ of the connection making communication even more private and secure.  So with VyprVPN, when you are at a local cafe and connect to its Wi-Fi network, your data transactions are encrypted from your computer through the Wi-Fi connection – all the way to the VyprVPN servers. VyprVPN users receive all of that protection and added security without sacrificing speed and high performance.

Learn more at www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn!